By Matt Merbach, Vice President, National Solution Services (NS2) at Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI)
TL;DR
- While public attention focuses heavily on constructing data centers, the real overlooked challenge is keeping these mission-critical facilities operational amid skilled labor shortages and complex environmental demands.
- To ensure constant uptime, operators must adopt a comprehensive, lifecycle-based “end-to-end” support system that integrates specialized professionals across engineering, mechanical systems, fiber networks, and cybersecurity.
- Technology alone is insufficient; success relies on aligning with dedicated service partners who prioritize continuous internal workforce training, offer 24/7 emergency support, and utilize modular manufacturing for safer, more consistent deployments.
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What makes headlines when it comes to data centers? The large number currently under construction across the country. Their locations and the reaction of local communities. Their perceived power and water usage.
So much attention is paid to building data centers. What’s often overlooked ─ the story behind the headline ─ is the task of keeping data centers on once they’re up and running. What plans or service agreements can ensure mission-critical data center infrastructure operates efficiently and constantly?
No doubt, the data center world has service needs. And there’s a revolutionary solution. Yet, before exploring that, let’s quickly review three vital things that influenced the creation of this solution.
First, let’s consider all the demands within the data center space: skilled labor shortages, tight schedules, communication challenges, safety concerns, project complexity, public perception issues and more. As previously mentioned, other priorities overshadow data center service, and that’s a mental hurdle to overcome.
Second, not every data center has the same goal. A world-class service solutions strategy is flexible enough to adjust to solve different challenges. Having integration expertise not only supports modern state-of-the-art systems; it allows for adjustments tailored to the needs of the data center that ensure it achieves that company’s goals.
Third, compared to other commercial buildings or industrial construction jobsites, data centers require more. More communication. More planning. More oversight. More emphasis on safety. Contractors with operating experience within these strictly controlled environments often bring a mindset that prioritizes productivity, operational efficiency and superior service.
Let’s now dive into a revolutionary solution to meet data centers’ growing service needs. When the demands are many, goals are changing, the pressure is on and the mission is critical, it’s still possible to keep data centers on and achieve true peace of mind.
How is “End-to-End” the Answer?
Ideally, efforts to keep a data center up and running are part of an overall, comprehensive lifecycle-based support system. A system that may include an engineering team, integration experts, a real estate team, a design team, construction and safety professionals—all who know the equipment and the systems inside and out.
Why are there so many people with such a variety of skills? Because data center service scopes of work include electrical systems, mechanical systems, control systems, fiber optic networks, UPS and battery health/maintenance, equipment lifecycle analysis, energy and power quality audits, on-demand cybersecurity and more.
That is what’s required to provide service designed to keep modern, mission-critical data center infrastructure running efficiently throughout its lifecycle.
That is an end-to-end solution.
Teams Must Complement the Technology
The right data center service solutions strategy can help prevent downtime, predict performance by using monitoring and analytics, and address issues before they occur. The technology is comprehensive and impressive.
However, wise use of tech alone isn’t a strategy, it’s simply using a tool. Multi-disciplined technical experts embedded in the field are needed to monitor systems, provide proactive maintenance, resolve challenging issues, handle complex upgrades, coordinate warranties and fully support data centers.
The best field service representative teams aren’t contractors; they’re partners who understand and complement the strengths of the projects, they’re dedicated to onsite service, they reply promptly, and they offer around-the-clock emergency support.
When Core Values Align
Partnership becomes “culture fit” when field and support teams are aligned with the core values of data center projects. Some contractors are extremely selective, only working with end users that align with their philosophy. Culture fit is an underrated aspect of data center development and service that’s just as important as capabilities.
Want to further streamline a data center service solutions strategy? Look for two things: a partner that prioritizes education, and a partner that designs and manufactures modular products. Here’s why:
- From apprenticeships to mentoring to continuing education courses, internal training programs create skilled workers and successful careers. For example, the field service representative teams I work with are trained through an internal program for licensed electricians (journeyman and master level), BICSI-certified technicians, and master technicians.
- Moving labor off construction sites increases safety and consistency while allowing for rapid deployment to hyperscale data centers and other mission-critical facilities nationwide. Search for an Original Equipment Manufacturer that specializes in manufacturing electrical and modular solutions.
In my position at FTI’s National Solution Services, we care for assets at every step of the lifecycle. Plus, we service the switchboards and power distribution modules we manufacture at the highest possible level. Of course, maintenance is easier when the products are better.
Our newest offering, FTI ON, is a value-added service that provides comprehensive support specifically for data centers. We deliver what the name promises: we keep data centers on, tailoring support for each one along the way.
AI continues to boom, and more data center infrastructure is needed. The investment is huge. The stakes couldn’t be higher. And everything must be kept up and running at peak efficiency. A true end-to-end solution may sound complex and revolutionary, but it’s the smart way ─ perhaps even the only way ─ to achieve what the industry now demands.
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About the Author
Matt Merbach, Vice President, National Solution Services at Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), has extensive expertise in holistically managing service for data centers and other emerging technology. He creates comprehensive strategies and approaches tailored to support each data center resulting in optimized uptime and efficiency. Matt’s strategic leadership in asset management and preventative/reactive maintenance ensures seamless data center operations.
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